Addendum to the Study of Agricultural Economy and Land in ......Status: Final Version Author...

WIRRAL COUNCIL

Addendum to the Study of Agricultural Economy and Land in Wirral

23 March 2020

ADAS GENERAL NOTES

Project No.: 1010420-1 (01)

Title: Addendum to the Study of Agricultural Economy and Land in Wirral

Client: Wirral Council

Date: 23 March 2020

Office: Wolverhampton

Status: Final Version

Author Kathleen Wolton Technical reviewer Jason Gittins

Signature Signature

Date: 23rd March 2020 Date: 23rd March 2020

RSK ADAS Ltd (ADAS) has prepared this report for the sole use of the client, showing reasonable skill and care, for the intended purposes as stated in the agreement under which this work was completed. The report may not be relied upon by any other party without the express agreement of the client and ADAS. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the professional advice included in

this report.

Where any data supplied by the client or from other sources have been used, it has been assumed that the information is correct. No responsibility can be accepted by ADAS for inaccuracies in the data supplied by any other party. The conclusions and recommendations

in this report are based on the assumption that all relevant information has been supplied by those bodies from whom it was requested.

No part of this report may be copied or duplicated without the express permission of ADAS and the party for whom it was prepared.

Where field investigations have been carried out, these have been restricted to a level of detail required to achieve the stated objectives

of the work.

This work has been undertaken in accordance with the quality management system of RSK ADAS Ltd.

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Introduction

On 30 September 2019, Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council (Wirral Council) published their Study of Agricultural Economy and Land in Wirral as part of the development of their new Local Plan. The study paid specific attention to sites identified for further investigation by Wirral Council in an Initial Green Belt Review in September 2018. As part of the preparation for the new Local Plan, a further comprehensive review of the Green Belt was undertaken and published for public comment in January 2020. The Wirral Green Belt Review 2019, which replaced the Initial Green Belt Review, identified five additional land parcels that were assessed as making a weak overall contribution to the Green Belt. Wirral Council have commissioned ADAS to provide an addendum to the original report, updating the appropriate tables and appendices. These being:

Table 7: Enterprise location and summary

Table 14: Soil associations and likely ALC grade ranges

Appendix 2: Cropping allocation in Wirral 2016

Appendix 3: Physical evaluation of agriculture in Wirral

Appendix 4: Land use map of sites for further investigation

Appendix 5: Sites identified for further investigation

Appendix 10: Summary of ALC calculations in Wirral

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Table 7: Enterprise Location Summary

Type of Enterprise Identified Sites

Grassland SP001, SP002C, SP004A, SP005A, SP010A, SP013, SP032, SP033. SP035, SP036, SP037, SP042, SP044, SP045, SP046, SP061, SP062, SP064E, SP071, 5.13, 7.19, 7.25, 7.26, 7.5

Horses SP001, SP033, SP035, SP061, SP062, 5.13, 7.19, 7.25, 7.26, 7.5

Cereals & General Cropping SP013, SP019B, SP030, SP031, SP040, SP042, SP043, SP046, SP049, SP050, SP051, SP052, SP059E, 7.26, 7.5

Table 14: Soil associations and likely ALC grade ranges

Site code Grid Ref Main Soil Association Secondary Soil Association

Likely ALC grades

SP001 SJ251881 Clifton 3a, 3b

SP002C SJ253888 Clifton 3a, 3b

SP004A SJ254890 Clifton 3a, 3b

SP005A SJ253888 Clifton 3a, 3b

SP010A SJ260868 Bridgnorth 2, 3a, 3b

SP013 SJ232857 Bridgnorth (80%) Clifton (20%) 2, 3a, 3b

SP019B SJ265853 Clifton 3a, 3b




SP033 SJ309848 Clifton (75%) Bridgnorth (25%) 2, 3a, 3b



SP037 SJ314836 Bridgnorth (60%) Clifton (40%) 2, 3a, 3b







Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Site code Grid Ref Main Soil Association Secondary Soil Association

Likely ALC grades


SP049 SJ357792 Clifton (70%) Wick 1 (30%) 2, 3a, 3b

SP050 SJ364794 Clifton (80%) Wick 1 (20%) 2, 3a, 3b

SP051 SJ369796 Wick 1 (70%) Clifton (30%) 2, 3a, 3b

SP052 SJ361801 Wick 1 2, 3a

SP053 SJ362804 Wick 1 2, 3a

SP059E SJ251846 Bridgnorth 2, 3a, 3b




SP064E SJ285824 Clifton 3a, 3b


5.13 SJ249864 Clifton Bridgnorth 2, 3a, 3b

7.19 SJ281844 Clifton

3a, 3b

7.25 SJ250849 Bridgnorth

2, 3a, 3b

7.26 SJ256837 Clifton Bridgnorth 2, 3a, 3b

7.5 SJ266804 Salwick

2, 3a

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Appendix 2: Cropping allocation in Wirral 2016

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Appendix 3: Physical evaluation of agriculture in Wirral

Strategic Parcel

Site Location Description Type of Enterprise Added Value Services Location

SP001 North of Greasby Permanent grassland used within a paddock system. Small fields separated by hedge network. Used primarily for horses, and cattle grazing [from farm at Three Lanes End]. Adjacent to Greasby Equestrian Centre, which appears to be well developed infrastructure. Some fields used as intensive grassland for silage / haylage.

Supporting a mix of enterprises including a diversified livery business and dairy unit.

Diversified livery enterprise, which would provide non-agricultural income support to a lowland grazing livestock enterprise.

Proximate to both a dairy unit and livery business. Ring fenced with livery business. Good access for forage production.

SP002C North of Barnacre Lane

Permanent grassland used for livestock grazing. Livestock not present. In close proximity to some farm infrastructure (ownership unknown) but in an isolated block.

Lowland grazing livestock.

Not evident. No infrastructure within the boundary of the land.

SP004A North of Saughall Massie

Intensively managed grassland. Appears to be adjacent to a beef unit (silage clamp, livestock buildings) no cattle visible in fields.

Forage production for lowland grazing livestock or dairy cattle.

Not evident. Adjacent to substantial, modern, improved farm buildings.

SP005A East of Garden Hey Road

Intensively managed grassland. Forage production for lowland grazing livestock or dairy cattle.


Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Strategic Parcel


SP010A East of Rigby Drive

Intensively managed grassland. Diversified dairy unit with direct farm sales.

Farm gates sales and secondary processing i.e. ice cream.

Ring fenced block with central farm infrastructure. Good access for livestock and machinery.

SP013 West of Column Road

Mixed block. Areas closest to Caldy Road / A540 roundabout in permanent pasture paddocks used for horses. Some evidence of grassland management in central area. Top agricultural blocks used for arable production. Beans and recent sowing evident.

General cropping and what appears to be recreational horse paddocks.


SP019B East of Glenwood Drive

Cereal production - currently in winter wheat. Large blocks in cereal production.

Not evident. Part of an arable block bisected by Arrowe Brook. No infrastructure within the boundary of the land.

SP030 North of Lever Causeway

Cereal production - currently in winter wheat. Large blocks in cereal production. Soil analysis received demonstrating good land management practices in years previous.

Not evident. No infrastructure within the boundary of the land. Several units nearby, which could potentially benefit from the land.

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Strategic Parcel


SP031 West of Landican Lane

Cereal production - currently in winter wheat. Large blocks in cereal production. Soil analysis received demonstrating good land management practices in years previous.

Not evident. No infrastructure within the boundary of the land. Several units nearby, which could potentially benefit from the land.

SP032 Little Storeton Permanent grassland used for livestock grazing. No livestock present.

Lowland livestock grazing.

Not evident. Isolated block. No infrastructure within the boundary of the land. Several sizeable units nearby but the size of the field would be unlikely to make a detrimental impact in isolation.

SP033 North of Rest Hill Road

Horse grazing in paddock system in a ring fenced block. Close to a modern equine stabling facility. Some intensively managed grassland potentially used for haylage production.

Lowland livestock grazing and / or a livery diversification. Potentially a separate business, not involved in agricultural production.

Potentially a livery as a diversification of an existing agricultural business. This is not known.

Several units and/or one sizeable unit nearby that could benefit from the land.

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Strategic Parcel


SP035 North of Marsh Lane

Horse grazing in paddock system in a ring fenced block. Close to a modern equine stabling facility.

Lowland livestock grazing and / or a livery diversification. Potentially a separate business, not involved in agricultural production.

Potentially a livery as a diversification of an existing agricultural business. This is not known.

Several units and/or one sizeable unit nearby that could benefit from the land.

SP036 North of Red Hill Road

Permanent grassland in a ring fence used for dairy and beef cattle grazing. Adjacent to modern farm infrastructure with evidence of diversified direct boxed beef sales.

Dairy unit with associated beef cattle enterprise.

Direct boxed beef. Ring fenced block with central farm infrastructure. Good access for livestock and machinery.

SP037 East of Brimstage Lane

Permanent grassland used for dairy and beef cattle grazing. In close proximity to modern farm infrastructure with evidence of diversified direct boxed beef sales.


Direct boxed beef. Close proximity to main unit. Good access for livestock and machinery.

SP040 North of Clatterbridge Road

Majority of site in arable production - currently in maize. Small permanent pasture field with grazing sheep.

Predominantly cereal and general cropping.

Adjacent to diversified farm business with farm shop. It is unknown whether the land is associated.

Adjacent to diversified farm business. No evidence of farm operations within this site.

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Strategic Parcel


SP041 West of Brimstage Lane

Permanent grassland used for dairy and beef cattle grazing. Some evidence of intensive management on some blocks. In close proximity to modern farm infrastructure with evidence of diversified direct boxed beef sales.


Direct boxed beef. Close proximity to main unit. Good access for livestock and machinery.

SP042 North of Poulton Hall Road

Mixed use block, split between fruit produced adjacent to farm diversification infrastructure and permanent grass block with evidence of intensive management. Majority of site is used for cereal production - currently in winter and spring barley varieties.

Mixed enterprises: soft fruit, permanent grass, cereals.

Adjacent to diversified farm business with farm shop. It is unknown whether all of the land is associated.

Several units that could benefit from the land. Not ring fenced. Bisected by woodland /scrub.

SP043 East of Poulton Road

Arable production in a ring fence - currently in winter wheat and winter barley.

Cereal production. Not evident. Ring fenced block with central farm infrastructure. Good access for livestock and machinery.

SP044 West of Dibbinsdale Road

Extensively managed permanent pasture / parkland used for lowland grazing of livestock.


Not evident. Parkland grazing for large home. Contained within a ring fence. Minimal infrastructure suggesting a small enterprise.

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Strategic Parcel


SP045 West of Raby Drive

Appears to be managed grass within an arable rotation.


Polytunnels and allotments observed linked to site used as an educational / community support centre.

Isolated block. No infrastructure within the boundary of the land.

SP046 West of Plymyard Dale

Unable to observe the land from any public highway or footpath. Aerial photographs suggest the site is a ring fenced mix of permanent grassland used for beef cattle grazing, intensively managed grass for silage purposes and arable production, which is likely to be used for winter fodder.

Forage production for lowland grazing livestock or dairy cattle and cereal production.

Not evident. Ring fenced block with central farm infrastructure. Good access for livestock and machinery. Sizeable block that appears to support a single unit.

SP049 South of Mill Park A mixed use site, isolated from an agricultural holding. The majority of the site is currently used for arable production, with a smaller area of permanent grass.

It is unknown what enterprise the land supports.

Not evident. Isolated block. No infrastructure within the boundary of the land. Poor access off of a main thoroughfare.

SP050 West of Rivacre Road

Cereal production - currently spring barley. Cereal production. Not evident. Some poor quality agricultural buildings present within the ring fence but isolated from a

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Strategic Parcel


main agricultural holding.

SP051 East of Rivacre Road

Arable production - currently beans. General cropping Not evident. Isolated block. No infrastructure within the boundary of the land. Proximate to several units that could benefit from the land.

SP052 Eastham Village Conservation Area

Only a very small part of the total area applies. Arable production - beans.

General cropping Not evident. Isolated block. No infrastructure within the boundary of the land. Proximate to several units that could benefit from the land.

SP053 St Davids Road Permanent grassland. No livestock present. No evidence of associated farm infrastructure.


Not evident. Isolated block. No infrastructure within boundary.

SP059E Rear of Irby Hall Arable production - currently oil seed rape. General cropping. Not evident. Isolated block. No infrastructure within the boundary of the land. Proximate to several units that could benefit from the land.

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Strategic Parcel


SP060 South of Thingwall Road

Permanent pasture within a ring fence - livestock grazing. Predominantly horse paddocks. Grazing dairy heifers also observed. Infrastructure for a separate livery business within ring fence. Buildings were large and modern, indicative of an established business.


It is unknown whether the recreational horse paddocks relate to a diversified agricultural business or separate rural enterprise.

Ring fenced block with infrastructure for a livery business. It is unknown whether the agricultural fields are managed from this unit.

SP061 North of Gills Lane

Intensively managed grassland opposite horse paddocks, potentially used for haylage production.

Forage production for lowland grazing livestock or dairy cattle. Infrastructure for livery evident but is unknown what enterprise the land supports.

Stables and menage adjacent to land. It is unknown whether the recreational horse paddocks relate to a diversified agricultural business or separate rural enterprise.

Ring fenced unit with good access for livestock and machinery.

SP062 East of Pensby A ring fenced arable unit currently in winter wheat, oilseed rape, spring barley and intensively managed grass. Land along roadside of Gills Lane are horse paddocks. Permanent pasture were also observed for grazing livestock, though no livestock present.

Cereal and general cropping enterprises. Recreational horse paddocks. Lowland grazing livestock.

Livery enterprise. The land is also subject to an agri-environment agreement.

Sizeable unit in a ring fence, with good infrastructure.

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Strategic Parcel


SP064E North of Whitehouse Lane

Arable production - currently intensive grassland.


Not evident. Isolated block. No infrastructure within the boundary of the land. Proximate to a sizable unit that could benefit from the land.

SP071 Land at Chester High Road

Arable production - currently intensive grassland. Adjacent to farm infrastructure in a ring fence.



5.13 Frankby – east of Montgomery Hill

Permanent grassland. A range of field sizes separated by a hedge network. The land appears to be used primarily for horses and grass crops e.g. hay.


Infrastructure indicating a livery business - It is unknown whether the recreational horse paddocks relate to a diversified agricultural business or separate rural enterprise.

Ring fenced block with infrastructure for a livery business. It is unknown whether the agricultural fields are managed from Frankby Farm, which is located on site.

7.19 Thingwall – Land between Lower Thingwall Lane and A551

Permanent grassland in a ring fence. Large field sizes predominantly taped off into smaller paddocks to provide grazing for horses.


Small stable facilities located on adjacent land. It is unknown whether the recreational horse paddocks relate to a diversified agricultural

Ring fenced block potentially managed alongside land on opposite side of Lower Thingwall Lane.

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Strategic Parcel


business or separate rural enterprise.

7.25 Thurstaston – Land to east and south of Thurstaston Common

Permanent grassland used for recreational horse grazing and woodland. Taped paddocks and in-field shelters observed.


None evident.

It is unknown whether the recreational horse paddocks relate to a diversified agricultural business or separate rural enterprise.

No permanent infrastructure observed within the boundary of the land.

7.26 Heswall – land between A540 and Irby Road

Arable production – currently in stubbles, potentially to be planted with spring cereals if conditions improve.

Land at northern end is permanent pastureland. Some recreational horse grazing and hobby sheep. Other livestock may be grazed on this land but none were observed due to conditions and the time of year.

Woodland is also located within the ring fence.

Cereal production. None evident. Ring fenced block with some urban incursion. Hill Farm is located within the ring fence but has been partially developed. It is unclear which unit farms the land.

7.5 Gayton – land between Cottage Lane and Riverbank Road

Most of the land is permanent grassland. Land to the west is used for recreational horses in a paddock system. Land to the east is in larger blocks, potentially used for forage production. No other livestock types were


Cereal production on 2.9 hectares.

None evident. No permanent infrastructure observed within the boundary of the land with the

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Strategic Parcel


observed but this may be due to conditions and the time of year.

A 2.9 hectare block adjacent to Riverbank Road appears to have been planted with a cover crop, potentially awaiting sowing of a spring cereal.

exception of some small stabling facilities.

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Appendix 4: Land use map of sites for further investigation

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Appendix 5: Sites identified for further investigation

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Appendix 10: Summary of ALC climate calculations in Wirral

Site code Grid Ref Altitude

Average annual rainfall

Accumulated temperature above 0°C, January to June

Field Capacity

Days

Soil moisture deficit – wheat (MDW)

Soil moisture deficit – potatoes (MDP)

ALC Climate Grade

(m AOD) (mm) (mm) (mm)

SP001 SJ251881 15 761 1445 180 96 85 1

SP002A SJ253888 15 765 1444 181 96 85 1

SP002B SJ253888 15 765 1444 181 96 85 1

SP002C SJ253888 15 765 1444 181 96 85 1

SP003 SJ252886 15 764 1444 181 96 85 1

SP004A SJ254890 10 764 1450 181 97 86 1

SP005A SJ253888 15 765 1444 181 96 85 1

SP010A SJ260868 40 758 1417 179 94 82 1

SP013 SJ232857 35 742 1424 177 98 87 1

SP015A SJ236892 5 756 1456 180 99 89 1

SP016 SJ209882 5 741 1458 177 103 94 1

SP019B SJ265853 55 756 1401 179 93 80 1

SP025B SJ276891 5 770 1455 181 96 85 1

SP030 SJ303854 40 786 1417 184 91 79 1

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)




Field Capacity

Days



ALC Climate Grade

(m AOD) (mm) (mm) (mm)

SP031 SJ301846 45 787 1412 184 91 79 1

SP032 SJ304846 50 789 1406 184 90 78 1

SP033 SJ309848 45 788 1412 184 91 78 1

SP034 SJ305843 50 789 1406 184 90 78 1

SP035 SJ313854 55 800 1400 186 89 76 1

SP036 SJ310843 40 787 1417 184 91 79 1

SP037 SJ314836 35 787 1423 183 92 80 1

SP038 SJ319837 40 792 1417 184 91 79 1

SP039 SJ323833 40 794 1417 184 91 79 1

SP040 SJ324828 35 790 1423 183 92 80 1

SP041 SJ307840 45 788 1412 184 91 78 1

SP042 SJ329820 30 786 1429 182 93 81 1

SP043 SJ337820 35 793 1423 182 92 80 1

SP044 SJ335814 35 789 1424 181 92 80 1

SP045 SJ330809 20 776 1441 179 95 83 1

SP046 SJ337799 25 775 1436 177 95 84 1

SP047 SJ347793 25 779 1436 178 95 83 1

SP048 SJ349792 25 779 1436 178 95 83 1

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)




Field Capacity

Days



ALC Climate Grade

(m AOD) (mm)

(mm) (mm)

SP049 SJ357792 30 779 1430 178 94 82 1

SP050 SJ364794 30 772 1430 176 94 83 1

SP051 SJ369796 25 763 1435 175 95 84 1

SP052 SJ361801 35 788 1424 180 92 80 1

SP053 SJ362804 30 785 1429 180 93 81 1

SP054 SJ359813 35 791 1423 181 92 79 1

SP055 SJ365813 30 786 1429 180 92 80 1

SP058C SJ252824 55 755 1402 178 92 79 1

SP058D SJ252824 55 755 1402 178 92 79 1

SP058E SJ252824 55 755 1402 178 92 79 1

SP059B SJ251846 70 749 1384 178 92 79 1

SP059C SJ251846 70 749 1384 178 92 79 1

SP059D SJ251846 70 749 1384 178 92 79 1

SP059E SJ251846 70 749 1384 178 92 79 1

SP060 SJ261844 75 755 1379 179 91 78 1

SP061 SJ277841 65 771 1390 181 90 77 1

SP062 SJ277828 65 768 1390 180 90 77 1

SP064E SJ285824 55 767 1402 180 91 79 1

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)




Field Capacity

Days



ALC Climate Grade

(m AOD) (mm)

(mm) (mm)

SP071 SJ284809 60 764 1396 178 91 79 1

SP108 SJ285923 10 774 1448 182 94 83 1

SP109 SJ283803 60 763 1397 178 91 79 1

5.13 SJ249864 35 742 1424 177 97 85 1

7.19 SJ281844 65 777 1389 182 90 77 1

7.25 SJ250849 60 746 1396 178 93 81 1

7.26 SJ256837 80 757 1373 179 90 77 1

7.5 SJ266804 15 742 1448 176 96 85 1

Wirral Council


Project no. 1010420-1 (01)

Conclusion

The five additional sites identified for further investigation were found to be consistent with others reviewed as part of the main report. Therefore, no amendments are required to the text.

Sites 5.13, 7.19 and 7.25 were all found to be used for the keeping of recreational horses. This was also the case for the majority of 7.5 and the northern end of 7.26. The remainder of 7.26 and part of 7.5 has been used for general cropping / cereal production.

Soil associations for each site were found to be consistent with the most common types in Wirral. A review of factors contributing to Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) indicates a potential grade range of 2, 3a and 3b across the sites. It is therefore recommended that technical agricultural land classification surveys be undertaken on any potential development land, in these additional locations, to determine the soil classification.

Addendum to the Study of Agricultural Economy and Land in ......Status: Final Version Author...

Documents

Transcript of Addendum to the Study of Agricultural Economy and Land in ......Status: Final Version Author...